Sematimba, rival Sekigozi mediation fails
May 10, 2016
In his petition, Sekigozi contends that Sematimba presented a forged certificate from a US-based university
Civil Court registrar, Alex Ajiji, has referred a petition filed by former Busiro South parliamentary contestant Stephen Sekigozi, seeking to annul Peter Sematimba's election to Justice Lydia Mugambe for hearing.
On Monday, Ajiji sent the case back to the High Court Judge after two parties failed to settle their disputes out of court.
"Mediation between the two parties was not possible because each party has maintained its position" Ajiji wrote.
The lawyer representing Sematimba, Arnold Kimala told court that Sematimba maintains his position as the newly elected Member of Parliament for Busiro South in Wakiso district, having won majority support of the people.
"Sematimba represents the decision of the majority members in the Busiro South Constituency and as such asking him to reside his victory will be to question the mind of majority voters," he said.
He stated that settlement would be by way of withdrawing the petition since the period in question is 5 years, adding that there is always another chance for both parties.
He added that withdrawal of the petition would save government's resources and time.
Democratic Party's Stephen Ssekigozi insists that Sematimba doesn't have the necessary academic qualifications. Photo by Ronnie Kijjambu
Meanwhile, Sekigozi's lawyer Rashid Semambo said that mediation would be possible if Sematimba is willing to withdraw his election.
The two parties are slated to appear before Justice Mugambe on May 11th, for the hearing of the petition.
In his petition, Sekigozi contends that Sematimba only holds a certificate issued by the East African Examinations Council in 1978, which cannot be equated to an Advanced Level certificate, the minimum requirement for nomination in parliamentary elections.
He adds that Sematimba presented a forged certificate from a US-based university to the EC for nomination.
Sekigozi avers that Sematimba committed several electoral offences, including bribery of voters and ferrying unregistered voters to various polling stations.